Seems that the owner is quite the businessman, but unless he starts using the profits to better the product on the field there will be a lot of upset people in Houston. As it’s only his second year of ownership we’ll have to see what the roster looks like in a few years and if he actually cares about winning or simply using the team to get richer.

Spence

The fellas are looking bit lethargic last few games. When Hanley and Puig arent on fire, the offense is rather pedestrian.

ASW1

A heck of a lot of pop-ups and lazy fly balls last few games for some reason.

Bob_in_Vegas

Hang tough, Nick!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Way to work a walk

Bob_in_Vegas

normally getting the pitcher up and out of the way is an accomplishment . . . but Zack is more than that!

Bob_Hendley

Ha!

Bob_in_Vegas

Zack rests my case . . . thankfully!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

ZACK!!

Bob_in_Vegas

Zack!

Bob_in_Vegas

Zack & Kersh: “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me!”

ASW1

Leave it to Greinke!

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

He threw him the same pitch three times after he whiffed the first two times, Zack got it the third time.

John_from_Aus

very nicely done!

Spence

Maybe Greinke should be used a pinch hitter for the playoffs.

John_from_Aus

Let’s bust this game open

Bob_in_Vegas

CC! . . . bummer into stands

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

CC!!

Bob_in_Vegas

C’mon, Puig!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Eric Stephen ‏@truebluela1m
Zack Greinke (16) just passed Luis Cruz (15) in hits for the 2013 Dodgers, in less than half the PA (57 vs 128)

Bob_in_Vegas

wow! But Cruz had a great 2012 for the Blue.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

fell back to the mean

Bob_in_Vegas

Bogie & Bergman had Paris, Cruz & LA had ’12

John_from_Aus

would have Grienke made it if it didn’t bounce into the stands

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

yes

John_from_Aus

shame then

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

SAFE!

Bob_in_Vegas

Shut ‘em down here, Zack.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

way to stay with it gonzo

Bob_in_Vegas

C’mon, Zack, another 0!

Bob_in_Vegas

Yes — no answering back . . . now add to it!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

way to get out of it zack

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Dre!!

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

Good thing nobody was on base.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Need to throw that fan out

ASW1

Never underestimate the ignorance of fans at the ballpark.

Bob_in_Vegas

Sure have that feel of April and May . . . except Zack’s in control.

Spence

These games are hard to watch. Need the playoffs to get here. Seems like the Dodgers are playing out the string till the playoffs start.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

I hope not…a lot of ball still to be played

Bob_in_Vegas

They went into a hitting funk the end of July as well . . . still won, but weren’t putting up the runs.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Ken Gurnick ‏@kengurnick29m
A hip injury has dealt reliever Shawn Tolleson a setback in his return from lower back surgery. http://atmlb.com/19J0QFw

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Cruising right along Zack!

Bob_in_Vegas

Let’s let Zack — and all of us — laugh . . . get some runs!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

MEllis!

Spence

Sveum’s telling Arrietta that look we know you dont have anything left, but the bullpen is tired so you have to pitch the 6th

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

How many innings did they go yesterday? 14?

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

15

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

MEllis speed!

ASW1

This game reminds me of the first game of the season where Kershaw shut out the Gnats and had the game-winning hit.

Bob_in_Vegas

At least we didn’t have to wait until the 8th this time!

Bob_in_Vegas

Hang tough again, Nick!

Bob_in_Vegas

NICK!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

NICKY!!

Bob_in_Vegas

At least no idjit hit it.

ASW1

Little Pony!

Bob_in_Vegas

Please, sirs, can we have some more?

Bob_in_Vegas

How many other teams, when their pitcher is coming up, get excited?

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

beautiful bunt

Bob_in_Vegas

A reprieve, CC — bring him in!

Bob_in_Vegas

S A C for CC!

Bob_in_Vegas

It’s not an explosion of hits and runs, but I really like how they’re taking advantage of the situation and making things happen.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Az won so still 9.5 and 1 less game left

Bob_in_Vegas

Don’t audit the poultry just quite yet . . . (I like to be optimistic but don’t wanna upset the karma balance!)

ASW1

And that team up North, mired in last place, got smoked by the Rockies 6-1.
Zito now 4-10 with a 5.81 ERA – WOW.

RBI

Just checking in. I’ve been doing my Dodger yoga. Take a position, yell, hold it, clap, get out of position. Glad we’re winning. It helps with the balance.

scooplew

The Cubs used seven relief pitchers yesterday in their 15-inning defeat.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

DP!!

Bob_in_Vegas

Zack! Kersh must be watching with eagerness to get his chance.

RBI

Nice to hear Vin say my name! (Hint – it’s not Evers or Chance…)

Bob_in_Vegas

Does that mean Bell is also part of your name?

scooplew

Don’t tinker with her name!

RBI

Ha! My pregnant mother was watching Peter Pan on Broadway w Mary Martin when a certain winged faerie (Han Ram!!!) arrived on stage in the form of a twinkling light and I kicked. So yes, I guess you could say there’s a bell in my past.

scooplew

Delightful! Mary Martin was magnificent as Peter Pan, although as a youngster I had a hard time understanding how a woman could play him.

RBI

Just took the granddaughters to see Kathy Rigby, who can still pull it off!

ASW1

Either one of those as good as Robin Williams’ portrayal?

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Rick calling Zack’s performance Maddox like 80 pitches 57 for strikes

Bob_in_Vegas

Hanley!!!!

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

Crushed.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

HANLEY!!!!

Bob_in_Vegas

Believe Vinny said it earlier, when Puig and Hanley hit, the Dodgers win. They didn’t really combine for anything tonight, but they DID hit . . . as did others. Six more outs to start the new winning streak!

scooplew

In his last 10 appearances including tonight, as both a starter and a reliever, Zito has given up 33 earned runs in 28.2 innings. That computes to an ERA of 10.36.

ASW1

It still boggles my mind how well he pitched last season down the stretch and in the postseason against St. Loo and Detroit.

Sorry, but I am on a kick of researching Zito because his contract is so incredulous.

He is in the last year of a seven-contract that will pay him a total of $126 million. He is making $20 million this year. According to Baseball-Reference.com, the Giants have an $18 million option on him for 2014 and a $7 million buyout. The option vests with 200 IP in 2013 or 400 IP in 2012-2013 or 600 IP in 2011-2013. Zito won’t reach any of those numbers. If the 2013 option vests, which it won’t, Zito may opt out and receive $3.5 million buyout.

Zito’s agent is Boras.

ASW1

He didn’t pitch in the postseason for the WS win in 2010, but I wonder how many Giants fans think it was worth it just for how well he did for them in helping to win the WS last year?

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

DP Time

Bob_in_Vegas

Get the K or double play!

Bob_in_Vegas

Nick — saves the shutout!

ASW1

Ha! Dionner not too fleet of foot.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Nice grin at Punto Zack!!

Bob_in_Vegas

If I can’t see it myself, at least I get the description!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

I see if I can find video…Punto fielded the ball and it took him to the 3rd base coaches box where he threw a one hopper to Gonzo who stretched towards the RF to throw out Navarro by 2 steps

Great to see Donnie allowing Greinke to stay in and attempt to pitch the shutout. He has four in his career: one this year with the Dodgers and three in 2009 with the Royals when he led the AL in ERA and won the Cy Young. This would also be Greinke’s 14th complete game in his career.

Bob_in_Vegas

Kersh & Zack — our own Koufax and Drysdale!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Nice Zack..1 down

scooplew

RBI: Saw Peter Pan in San Francisco about 30 years ago. My memory tells me Kathy Rigby was in the lead. By the way, she is now 60 years old.

RBI

Yeah, but she’s spent most of them in Neverland!

scooplew

LOL! (The Peter Pan ride used to be my favorite indoor ride in Fantasyland at Disneyland. By the way, my 92-year-old mother, whom I am taking to the Dodgers game on Sunday, was taken to Disneyland last week by her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.)

Bob_in_Vegas

ZacK!

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

But really, it would have been fun to see this guy pitch agains the Red Sox. And Clayton too.

Bob_in_Vegas

Yes! Especially since Zack may’ve had better luck at the plate than we saw!

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

You may be right.

Bob_in_Vegas

Donnie applauded for doing nothing . . . go, Zack!

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

He’s losing it a bit…

Bob_in_Vegas

Only if he gives up a run . . .

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

Two well hit balls and now a hit batter is concerning, but he’s one strike away.

Bob_in_Vegas

Or if he loses him

ASW1

Pitch count getting up there now.

Bob_in_Vegas

Get the K, Zack — Klose it out!

RBI

1 more strike…

RBI

Too bad.

http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

I was glad Donnie left him in, but now it seems it was the right choice.

Bob_in_Vegas

Nice game, Zack. Now let’s close it out!

scooplew

A Bridge Too Far.

Bob_in_Vegas

I always think of that movie/book in such moments!

ASW1

Good movie – also “The Bridge On the River Kwai”

Bob_in_Vegas

Cornelius Ryan wrote “Bridge” but also the great “Longest Day.” “Saving Private Ryan” had a better “storming the beach” sequence, but “Longest” showed the whole scope of D-Day . . . and how it all hinged on the most important weather forecast in history.

Couldn’t follow last night. One of the comments sounds like AJ threw someone out?

RBI

Yes. First inning. Starling Castro out at second for the second out.

foul tip

Thx, ribby.

foul tip

DM on the BoSox series, from dodgers.com==

“Those are the kind of people we’re going to have to beat to get where we want to go,” Mattingly said. “The only concern was that you see three veteran pitchers that basically got ahead of the count, and every day I look up in the sixth inning and their pitch count is in the 60s. So we’re talking about 10 or 12 pitches an inning — way too easy. They’re veterans and they’re going to get ahead in the count and expose you if you don’t understand what they’re trying to do.”

“Mattingly also pointed out the Red Sox played with more fire than his club. ”

As for pitchers hitting, the last one to get at least 50 plate appearances and post an on-base percentage above Greinke’s current .426 mark was fellow Dodgers star Don Newcombe at .434 in 1958. That was the Dodgers’ first season in Los Angeles and they traded the former MVP and Cy Young winner to the Reds in June.

We have our main 3 studs Kershaw, Greinke and Ryu returning next year. Do you fill the next 2 spots with the returning ailing Beckett and later on Bills and when they fall apart Fife, Lee and Magill? Or do you sign Nalasco or someone else and make Fife and Lee battle it out for the last spot, if and when Beckett falls? I love the win now mentality and Nolasco has been great, but part of me wants to see Fife and Lee get a shot. I love watching the young unproven players with big upsides get a shot, which is definitely part of Puig’s charm.

ASW1

There were stretches (albeit usually short ones) over the past few seasons where Bills was the best pitcher statistically in the Dodgers rotation. There have been many pitchers who return from TJ surgery who end up being just as good, sometimes even better than before the surgery. I’m hoping Bills falls into this category. No reason to assume he’d “fall apart”.
Beckett, on the other hand…